National Parks in Vietnam and Protected Natural Areas

Vietnam is a country rich in natural diversity, stretching from its northern mountains to its tropical southern coasts. With a wide array of Vietnamese national parks and protected areas, travelers have countless opportunities to explore unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and ecosystems ranging from dense jungles to underground caves. This guide will take you through all the national parks in Vietnam, as well as the most important nature reserves and protected areas, along with helpful tips on the best time to visit each, the location of each park, points of interest, and what to expect in terms of flora and fauna. Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Vietnamese nature.

Content

1 Information about Vietnam’s National Parks
2 List of Vietnam’s National Parks
3 Biosphere Reserves and Protected Areas in Vietnam
4 Other Attractions in Vietnam

Information about Vietnam’s National Parks

History of Vietnam’s National Park Network

The establishment of national parks in Vietnam began in the 1960s with the founding of Cúc Phương, the country’s first national park. Since then, the network has grown significantly, encompassing a wide range of ecosystems and geographic areas, from the Red River Delta to the Central Highlands. Today, Vietnam has a vast network of national parks that protect its biodiversity, promoting conservation while offering opportunities for ecotourism. Currently, Vietnam has 34 national parks.

General Location of National Parks

Vietnam’s national parks are spread across the country, from the northwest mountains to the central coastal plains and the tropical southern jungles. This geographic diversity means each park offers something different, from towering mountain views to sprawling mangrove areas and subtropical jungles. Depending on your interests, you can find parks specializing in caves, beaches, mountains, or wildlife observation.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam’s National Parks

The best time to visit the national parks depends on their geographic location and the type of climate you prefer. Generally, the dry season, from November to April, is ideal for most parks, as rainfall decreases and trails are more accessible. However, some northern parks, like Hoàng Liên, are best visited in spring or autumn, when temperatures are more moderate, and nature is in bloom.

List of Vietnam’s National Parks

Region: Northwest

Hoàng Liên National Park

Located in Lào Cai and Lai Châu provinces, Hoàng Liên National Park is famous for its mighty biodiversity and for being home to Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. This is a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts and those looking to explore the flora and fauna of northern Vietnam.

Ba Bể National Park

Ba Bể Park focuses on the largest freshwater lake in Vietnam. It is a perfect spot for those who enjoy water activities like kayaking, along with a jungle setting full of caves and waterfalls. Read more about Ba Bể National Park.

Bái Tử Long National Park

Situated in Ha Long Bay, Bái Tử Long is known for its crystal-clear waters and limestone formations. It is less crowded than its neighbor, making it a quieter option for enjoying marine landscapes.

Xuân Sơn National Park

Located in Phú Thọ province, Xuân Sơn is a park known for its dense forests, cave systems, and limestone mountains. Hikers can explore various trails while enjoying the serenity of this mountainous environment.

Tam Đảo National Park

This park spans three provinces (Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Nguyên, and Tuyên Quang) and is famous for its mountainous landscapes and cool climate year-round. It is a highly frequented location for hikers and visitors seeking respite from the heat in lower areas of Vietnam.

Du Già National Park

Du Già, in Hà Giang province, is known for its rugged landscapes and biodiversity. Ideal for adventurers, this park offers remote hiking routes and breathtaking views.

Phia Oắc – Phia Đén National Park

Located in Cao Bằng province, this park offers panoramic views, ancient forests, and rich wildlife. A lesser-known spot, it is perfect for travelers seeking tranquility and a connection with nature.

Region: Red River Delta

Ba Vì National Park

Located near Hanoi, Ba Vì is popular for its mountainous landscapes and rich biodiversity. Its proximity to the capital makes it an ideal option for a quick day trip for nature lovers.

Cát Bà National Park

Cát Bà is renowned for its impressive island landscapes and a wide variety of wildlife, including rare species like the golden-headed langur. It is an excellent place for ecotourism and water sports such as diving and snorkeling.

Cúc Phương National Park

Vietnam’s oldest national park, Cúc Phương, is home to a vast tropical rainforest that shelters numerous endangered species. Visitors can explore its trails, discover ancient caves, and learn about ongoing conservation initiatives.

Xuân Thủy National Park

Established in 2003 and located in Nam Định province, Xuân Thủy National Park is renowned as one of Vietnam’s most important wetlands. This park is part of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve and is a key site for the conservation of migratory birds. It is a paradise for birdwatchers, hosting a wide variety of species, some of which are endangered. Additionally, its mangrove ecosystem provides a habitat for diverse aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.

Region: North-Central Coast

Bến En National Park

Established in 1992 and located in Thanh Hóa province, Bến En National Park is known for its rich biodiversity and extensive system of lakes and hills. An ideal spot for those seeking tranquility in nature, with numerous opportunities to explore forests and enjoy boat rides on its lakes.

Pù Mát National Park

Founded in 2001 in Nghệ An province, Pù Mát is one of Vietnam’s largest parks, covering over 91,000 hectares. The park is famous for its biodiversity and for hosting rare species such as the saola. An important destination for ecotourists and biologists interested in conserving endangered species.

Vũ Quang National Park

Established in 2002 in Hà Tĩnh province, Vũ Quang is a mountainous park with dense forests and diverse wildlife. It is well-known for its role in protecting the saola and other rare mammals. Its hiking trails offer panoramic views of the mountainous landscape.

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is famous for its cave system, some of the largest and oldest in the world. A must-visit destination for spelunking and adventure enthusiasts, with a vast network of caves stretching for kilometers underground.

Bạch Mã National Park

Located in Thừa Thiên Huế, Bạch Mã National Park was established in 1991 and is known for its mountains and waterfalls. It is perfect for hiking, with trails offering spectacular views and opportunities to observe a wide variety of birds and wildlife.

Region: South-Central Coast

Phước Bình National Park

Established in 2006 in Ninh Thuận province, Phước Bình offers a mountainous environment rich in biodiversity. It is ideal for adventurers seeking remote trails and a connection with nature in its purest form.

Núi Chúa National Park

Established in 2003, also in Ninh Thuận, this park is known for its dry and unique ecosystem in Vietnam. It is an excellent destination for hikers looking for an experience in a different environment, with ocean views and a semi-arid landscape.

Region: Central Highlands

Chư Mom Ray National Park

Founded in 2002 in Kon Tum province, Chư Mom Ray is known for its dense vegetation and its role in protecting rare species. An attractive location for travelers seeking hiking trails in a wild and less explored environment.

Kon Ka Kinh National Park

Located in Gia Lai province, Kon Ka Kinh was established in 2002 and protects one of the country’s most important montane forest areas. This park is critical for the conservation of species like the white-cheeked gibbon and the red-shanked douc.

Yok Đôn National Park

Established in 1991, Yok Đôn is Vietnam’s largest national park, located in Đắk Lắk province. It is famous for its dipterocarp forest and is home to wild elephants, water buffaloes, and other large mammals.

Chư Yang Sin National Park

Established in 2002, Chư Yang Sin is one of the region’s most biodiverse parks. Located in Đắk Lắk, it is a recommended destination for hikers seeking challenging routes in a mountainous setting.

Bidoup Núi Bà National Park

Established in 2004 in Lâm Đồng province, this park is known for its coniferous forests and biodiversity. It is an ideal spot for observing rare plant and animal species, as well as enjoying a cool climate year-round.

Tà Đùng National Park

Established in 2018, Tà Đùng is one of the newest additions to Vietnam’s national park network, located in Đắc Nông province. This park offers stunning mountainous landscapes with lakes and panoramic views.

Region: Southeast

Cát Tiên National Park

Established in 1992, Cát Tiên is one of the largest national parks in southeastern Vietnam, spanning three provinces. It is a key destination for ecotourism, with tropical jungles, trails, and rich wildlife, including tigers and elephants.

Bù Gia Mập National Park

Founded in 2002 in Bình Phước, this park protects tropical forests and is home to various rare flora and fauna. Ideal for adventurers, it offers hiking trails in remote and forested areas.

Côn Đảo National Park

Located in the Côn Đảo archipelago and founded in 1993, this park is famous for its beaches and marine life. An excellent spot for diving and snorkeling, with a wide variety of coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Lò Gò-Xa Mát National Park

Founded in 2002 in Tây Ninh, this national park is known for its wetlands and dipterocarp forests. It is an interesting spot for birdwatchers, with several migratory and resident species that are endangered.

Region: Mekong Delta

Tràm Chim National Park

Located in Đồng Tháp and established in 1994, Tràm Chim is renowned for its extensive wetlands and rich biodiversity. It is a refuge for water birds, including the sarus crane, an endangered species.

U Minh Thượng National Park

Established in 2002, U Minh Thượng, in Kiên Giang province, protects one of the few remaining peat swamps in the world. A unique place, ideal for exploring the biodiversity of the Mekong Delta wetlands.

Mũi Cà Mau National Park

Founded in 2003, Mũi Cà Mau is located at the southern tip of Vietnam in Cà Mau province. This park is famous for its mangroves and coastal areas and is an important site for the conservation of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity.

U Minh Hạ National Park

Established in 2006, U Minh Hạ is known for its swamp ecosystem and mangrove forests. It is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and those who enjoy boat tours through wetland canals.

Phú Quốc National Park

Founded in 2001, Phú Quốc is located on the island of the same name in Kiên Giang province. This park is popular for its pristine beaches and marine biodiversity, making it an excellent destination for ecotourism and water activities.

Biosphere Reserves and Protected Areas in Vietnam

Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An Biosphere Reserve

Cu Lao Cham is a biosphere reserve known for its marine ecosystem and rich biodiversity. Perfect for diving enthusiasts, this protected area features coral reefs and pristine beaches.

Xuân Thủy Nature Reserve

Located in the Red River Delta, Xuân Thủy is an important wetland area recognized for its role in the conservation of migratory birds. Birdwatchers will find this an exceptional place to see a variety of rare and endangered species.

Cát Bà Biosphere Reserve

Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2004, the Cát Bà Biosphere Reserve is located in the Cát Bà Archipelago in Hải Phòng province. It is known for its unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems, including tropical forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. A key destination for ecotourists and marine life enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, diving, and other outdoor activities.

Vân Long Nature Reserve

Located in Ninh Bình province, Vân Long is the largest wetland nature reserve in northern Vietnam. This site is famous for its stunning karst landscapes and biodiversity, being home to the largest population of Delacour’s langurs, an endangered species. Visitors can also enjoy serene boat rides through its peaceful wetlands.

Other Attractions in Vietnam

Phong Nha Caves

Located in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, the Phong Nha Caves are world-renowned for their stalactite and stalagmite formations. Exploring these caves is an unforgettable experience, whether by boat or on foot.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its unique limestone formations rising from the sea. It is an iconic destination for those looking to enjoy natural beauty from a boat or engage in activities like kayaking among the islands.

Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is famous for its floating markets and extensive river network. A tour through its canals is an excellent way to experience the local lifestyle and vibrant biodiversity of the region.

Sapa Rice Terraces

Located in northern Vietnam’s mountains, the rice terraces in Sapa are one of the country’s most iconic landscapes. With their layered steps covering the hills, Sapa offers breathtaking views, especially during the harvest season when the fields turn green and gold. Visitors can also learn about the traditional cultures of local ethnic groups such as the Hmong and Dao living in this mountainous region.

Perfume Pagoda

The Perfume Pagoda, or Chùa Hương, is a complex of Buddhist temples located in Hà Tây province, outside Hanoi. Built in a cave on the mountain, this pagoda is an important spiritual destination for Vietnamese people, especially during Lunar New Year celebrations. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful boat ride along the Yến River, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, before ascending to the main cave. It is an ideal spot for those seeking a cultural experience and a connection with nature.

Recommended parks: List of national parks in Asia by country.